Hello

As I look for an 03 S-type I have done some research on Ebay final bid/sale prices.

I constructed a model relating the price to certain variables... determining which were the most significant. I tested:
- mileage
- number of owners
- whether the car had been in a reported accident
- whether the car had been repossessed
- exclusive Florida registration
- private seller
- dealer rated unsatisfactory by Better Business Bureau
- V8 engine

I suppose there are other variables to test... but those are the ones that were closest at hand for me.

The results were very interesting and I wanted to share and ask for feedback.

1. There were 3 significant variables: the mileage; whether the car was an exclusive Florida registration; and whether the car had a V8 engine (the regular V8 or the supercharged).
2. None of the other variables were particularly significant.
3. The V6's don't seem to be very valuable or desirable.

This seems to suggest holding out for a Florida V8 or V8 supercharged.

I went and looked at an 03 in Quartz yesterday... gorgeous car. But a V6 and definitely not an exclusive Florida car.

Cheers, James

 

I have an 03 Topaz S Type. It's not exclusive to FL since it was purchased as a gift in SC, but so far I think it's starting to grow on me. As far as the motor, I don't think it'll be too relevant either way. If you go for the V8 or V8 Supercharged then you'll have a little more pounce on your cat, but my prowler is mostly to drive up and down the east coast for school.

I have an older Lexus SC400 with a V8 to have my fun with from time to time. If you're not so much focused on having a fast launch time and you don't mind having a few more MPG, then its a valid option. If its going to be your only vehicle and you want to feel a bit more kick then I'd say go for a V8. But then again- I may not be the best critic, because if I had my own choice, I'd probably have gone with the STR.

 

Your modelsounds interesting. I bought my 03 two years ago from Texascarsdirect.com. They sell on ebay as well.I have a V-8 and love it. I wanted to get an R, but I just couldn't make myself spend the money.

 

If you look hard enough you can find an STR for about the same price. Thats why I wish I had been the one picking it out.[>:]

 

In comparison to what? I don't see a price in this entire thread?

 

Oh no I realize that. What I was implying was that if you're patient, depending on where you live, you can find an STR for the same price as you can find a V6 or the V8 without the supercharger. I think my 03 S Type 3.0 was 16K when my family got it for me. I think it had about 25K on it (of course, I've put so many miles on it by now that I'm almost ashamed LOL). If it weren't for the fact that I abuse the highway with my presence so much on thet east coast, I'd have traded mine in for a black STR and gladly dropped the extra few K. Only problem is, the places I've found for about the same price ($16K) were mostly private- so I couldn't trade the car in to get the deal.

 

Ahh, now I know what you mean. You're right though...STR's are coming by REALLY cheap.